Police in the Southern Highlands province is on full alert and searching for the 47 inmates that made a dash for freedom from the Buiebi Correctional Service (CS) prison facility over the weekend. This was confirmed by the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Joe Puri this morning when giving an update on the escape yesterday, Sunday 27th August. PPC Puri said his men were sent to assist CS officers search for the escapees yesterday after they fled into the nearby forest but had to call off the search when it became dark for them to continue with the search. “This morning, we have put up roadblocks along the main roads and conduct searches in the nearby villages with whatever limited resources we have,” said the PPC. “We are also sending messages to the villages to report any escapees that may be hiding there to police.” The PPC said of the 47 inmates that escaped, 4 are district court remandees, 14 are national court remandees and 29 are convicted criminals. These 29 convicted inmates are dangerous to the community and therefore, police want the public to report them if they are seen hiding within their community. Mr. Puri also called on the escaped inmates to voluntarily turn themselves in to the police. Meanwhile, at this stage an investigation is being conducted by the CS as to how the 47 inmates escaped from the prison facility.